Have you ever waited on something, or someone, expectantly? Maybe it was a future spouse or a child. Maybe it was provision for a job. It could even be the small, daily things like waiting for an email to arrive or dinner to be finished. My husband and I are currently waiting on a car to arrive at a local dealership. As each day passes, we wonder if it is “the day” we will be called to pick up our vehicle. As the days continue to pass with no word, we have admittedly become frustrated. Our attitude stems from a word called “expectations.”

Abram had expectations and rightfully so. He was promised to be a great nation (Genesis 12:2). He was told that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth and the stars in the sky (Genesis 13:16, 15:5). Yet he still continues childless in our passage this week (Genesis 15:2). After receiving a vision from God, Abram expresses his frustration over not having an heir, not even one descendant.

God graciously responds to Abram’s frustration with a promise. He does not punish him for his vulnerability but rather asserts His sovereignty and control by promising Abram a son. What may seem impossible to man is possible with God. Abram’s frustration turns to faith in verse six: “And he believed the Lord.” Because of his faith, God declares Abram righteous. It was not anything that Abram earned; righteousness was granted as a result of his belief in God (see Romans 4:1-5).

God, then, establishes His covenant relationship with Abram and his offspring. He lays out His plan for Abram and his descendants, including the eventual conquest of the Promised Land.

Although Abram eventually gets to witness the realization of the promise of his son, he does not live to see the fulfillment of all of God’s promise to him. Yet, he had faith that He who promised was faithful.

Faith in God and His provision is the only path to righteousness. Take time to read about those who demonstrated great faith in Hebrews 11.

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Since 1833 the Biblical Recorder has served North Carolina Baptists as the Baptist State Convention's official news journal - with the emphasis on news. The paper was founded by Thomas Meredith, an early pastor, writer and denominational statesman in North Carolina.